STANDISH — It was a meeting of two second-year programs Thursday night – one with just a touch more experience – and that helped make the difference as Bonny Eagle outlasted Deering in five sets to reach the Class A volleyball quarterfinals.

The seventh-seeded Scots emerged with a 25-23, 24-26, 25-22, 20-25, 15-2 victory against the 10th-ranked Rams.

Bonny Eagle, unlike Deering, made the playoffs a year ago, and this time got a home game for the first time.

“Going to Yarmouth last year (losing 3-0) taught us a lesson – to not be nervous and to think straight (this year),” said Bonny Eagle Coach Kelley Champagne. “We made sure to be mentally strong no matter what happens.”

The Scots (11-4) will be at second-seeded Scarborough (13-1) in the quarterfinals at 11 a.m. Saturday.

In the fifth set, Bonny Eagle’s defense started to match its serving talent. Jenna Litif had two blocks – for 4-1 and 9-1 leads – to complement Whitney Regan’s three service points and Samantha Morash’s seven straight points that turned a 5-1 lead to 12-1. A Hannah Corbett spike on match point put the it away.

“It’s amazing,” Regan said. “Last year I wasn’t a huge part of (the team) but to be a big part this year, and to win, is the greatest feeling in the world. Our team pulled it together at the end and I couldn’t be any more proud of them.”

Deering Coach Larry Nichols said the loss was bittersweet.

“While we’re very disappointed that we took it to five (sets)and couldn’t get it done in the end,” he said, “season-wise we made the playoffs for the first time ever for our second-year varsity program.”

Nichols said he tried to get the right matchups in the final set but couldn’t get the serve back to make a move. The result was players on the court weren’t as strong at receiving serves.

“We were trying to get to the right spot (to make a switch) and get some offense going but we couldn’t get to it. And when we did, we couldn’t take advantage of it.”

Champagne felt her team had more depth.

“I actually think we have six strong rotations and Deering has (only) three or four, and they have a couple weaknesses in them,” she said. “I felt if we can capitalize while we have mismatch rotations, then it will work out well for us.”

Deering (9-6) forced the fifth set with strong all-around play in the fourth. Setter Mady Broda served eight straight points, turning a 4-1 deficit into a 9-4 lead. Bonny Eagle cut its deficit to 22-20, but a win at the net helped the Rams win the final three points.

Regan’s hard serves were a big part of the victory. She recorded 20 service points – 18 not even returned. Most of the points came at key moments.

“People underestimate her and they shouldn’t,” Champagne said of Regan, who is the team’s setter.

“She’s cool as a cucumber and I wouldn’t want anyone else back there serving if the game is on the line.”